'We foresee further increases in demand for these aircraft, particularly the A380. Our co-operation with Airbus is excellent and we believe in building on it.'

Airbus chief executive Noel Forgeard said he appreciated ILFC's support in distributing and financing company products worldwide.

'When such a major player as ILFC makes such a large-scale decision it is an excellent indicator we are on the right track,' he said.

New York-based JetBlue Airways launched the Paris sales bonanza which included welcome new orders from a number of established customers by signing up for 30 A320 Airbuses on Monday, bringing the total now on order from the low-fare specialist to 63.

The airline already operates a fleet of 14 A320s and is on course to take delivery of 10 a year through to 2007 with each new aircraft enabling it to add an extra US city to its passenger timetable.

JetBlue are very much 'new boys on the block' and the company's decision to place a third major order in just two years has been welcomed by the European Airbus consortium.

Airbus leaders are also delighted to have snatched their first major order of the air show from right under the noses of US arch-rival Boeing.

'The speed at which JetBlue has found success is truly unprecedented in the low-fare market,' said Mr Forgeard.

'The fact they did it with a fleet of all-new Airbus aircraft demonstrates that the right equipment can be a driving force or rather flying force for the right team of people and that team can be found at JetBlue.

'The fact that our first order of the air show has come from a US customer really indicates the strength of Airbus in the North American market.'